Book review: "Close Encounters of a Very GREEN Kind"
October 24, 2008 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
“Close Encounters of a Very Green Kind” is 100% eco-friendly and 101% fun to read!
The first adventure book of Garry Errill, “Close Encounters of a Very Green Kind” follows the exploits of the Eco Family, the most ecological family in the cosmos. The setting for the book is futuristic, sometime in 2150 and aliens are no longer strange unknown beings – they are everywhere across the galaxies. Living in the City of Fontainia on Planet Algore, the Eco Family includes Professor Eco and his beautiful wife Mother Eart, Grandpa Zuron, teenage girl Mira and a younger Eco Jr., and oh, several droids and goggle-bots. The adventure starts when they receive a signal to immediately come to the aid of Planet Earth. Readers will follow their journey to the planet and what the family needs to do to accomplish their mission.
The book will be well-liked by children and parents who want to teach their children respect for the environment. I would recommend this as a great conversation-starter for the effects of global warming and what we can do to about it. Imagination runs high with the book, and the colorful sci-fi looking illustrations by American artist Diana McManus Whitman complemented the feel of being in the future.
Beyond just reading the story, this book is itself an example of being eco-friendly. I was surprised with the book’s quality and the vivid colors, since it was printed on 100% recycled paper and the illustrations were printed using either vegetable oil or water-based inks, which are more resistant to scuffs. Even the printing cloths were washable! Author Garry Errill will also donate a portion of the sales to the Eco Planet Fund, which helps families who look after children living in poverty and solitude.
The book “Close Encounter of a Very GREEN Kind” will be released in the United States and United Kingdom on November 15, 2008, at various retailers or from the website www.theecofamily.com to learn more about The Eco Family, and where they will be able to purchase a copy. The book retails for $6.95 (USA), and £5.95 (UK).
image: ARL Marketing PR Firm
My daughter was lucky enough to review a sample copy of Close Encounter of a very green kind at her school. I have to agree with Grace the illustrations are brilliant! My daughter and I found the story very funny in places. 109 year old Grandpa is very funny! I also have a teenager daughter and found one of the characters, namely Mira was so well portrayed. I do know author Garry Errill has another book series coming out in 2009, for younger children called the Veggies.
Susan Williams (Bristol UK)